From my heart...

In an absolute effort to be 100% transparent with you, dear blog readers, I have to confess something to you. For the last month now I have struggled with many trials and have shared a few of them with you, but have also "held back" a few of them and kept them close to my heart.

That is not something that I normally do...well, not something that I normally do anymore. After wearing a "mask" for 5 years as a Pastor's wife and Pastor at a mega church I have actively pursued being a "speak the truth in love" "what you see is what you get" kind of girl. I no longer have that desire to wear the mask and want to live an authentic life with passionate purpose to tell the world about Him.

In doing that it requires me to be transparent through the good times and the bad times. Let's face it, it would be nice to come around and get pumped up, encouraged, and pat on the back every time you come here to Mel's World (and for the most part I try to do that), but there's also the reality that life is and can be hard at times. For me, this has been a very rough season. Granted, there is always JOY on the journey, but there's also been a lot of pain and sadness along the way.

My hope, is that by sharing this with you then you will see that we need each other. We need to pray for each other, we need to love each other, and we need to give grace to each other freely.

Acts 20:24 NLT ~ But my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned me by the Lord Jesus—the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God.

About a month ago my mother (she's 57) went to the doctor because she found a spot on her breast. We truly didn't think it was much of anything other than a cyst or something, but the doctor decided to go ahead and do a biopsy. The results came back that it was Breast Cancer. Mom had the lump removed in mid-March and the surgeon was optimistic that since she had caught it early, her lymph nodes were clear that since it was small and contained that she would not have to have chemotherapy.

We knew she would probably have to have radiation, but when she met with the oncologist to review her pathology reports they said the type of cancer she has is very aggressive and that they would indeed need to put her on chemo.

The same day my mom found out that she had breast cancer my grandmother (she's 86) found out that she has bone marrow cancer. The crazy thing is that up until this point there has not been a single person in our family that has had any cancer (and there are over 140 of us in Kentucky).

Needless to say there were some very dark and scary days in and around my family. For a couple of days I just cried and sought God through it, then on about the third day after we found all this out I decided to just get mad. Mad at the situation, mad that cancer had hit my mom and my grandmother, and just mad that I let myself sink into despair for two whole days.

After that I decided that I would claim victory over my family and would pick up the armor of God and prepare for battle.

Romans 8:37 NLT ~ No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us.

I know that this is just the beginning of this battle, and I know that there will be days when the battle is going to be long and hard, but I also know that He has prepared me (and my family) for this battle.

Psalm 35:2 NLT ~ Put on your armor, and take up your shield. Prepare for battle, and come to my aid.

I am thankful for the opportunity to be an armor bearer for my mom and will shout from the rooftops the goodness and grace of God the Father to any and all who will listen to me. There is a reason that God has chosen my mom (and family) for this battle and we will not go into it without being securely settled in the palm of His hands.

So, dear friends of Mel's World, this is where you come in. I am asking that you would join me in prayer for my mom (Regina) and grandmother (Mary) as they prepare for their battle. Mom starts her chemo this Friday (Good Friday) and is going to have 4 months of chemo followed by 4 months of radiation.

I'm asking for your prayers. I'm asking for you to join me in prayer for my mom, grandmother, and so many other women that are dealing with breast cancer right this very minute.

Matthew 18:20 NLT ~ For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.

You see, there is POWER in prayer, and I know that miracles happen when God's people pray. Join me on this journey, would you? Over the next couple of months I will be blogging, twittering, and checking in periodically to let you know how the journey is going, and while we walk forward on this journey I would love to ask for you to bathe mom and grandma in your prayers.

Also...I know that many of you have loved ones that are dealing with cancer right now as well. I'd love to join YOU in prayer for them as well. If you or someone you love is dealing with Breast Cancer, Bone Marrow Cancer, or any other cancer for that matter, please leave a comment with their name and your specific prayer request for them.

When we are done, my hope is that we will have blanketed this planet with prayers for our family, friends, and loved ones. One day we WILL see a cure and I know that when we do there will be celebrating in the streets because of it.

Matthew 21:22 NIV ~ If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.

Pray believing WITH me, would you? Thank you for being on the journey with me!

Seeking JOY on the Journey,

I Second That Emotion ~ Session #11, 12, & 13

I can hardly believe that we are finished with this journey together. This has truly been a remarkable book; the insight, depth, and comedy have blessed my socks off. I am so sorry that this is so late getting out...it has been a busy couple of days. So, let's not delay one minute longer...here is the conclusion of this book study!

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Session #11 ~ Holy Post It Notes

Our Goal Today ~> To fall in love with God’s Word and the guidance he provides in its pages.

Page 82 ~ Have you ever read all 176 verses of Psalm 119? C’mon now, honestly? Every verse? If not, I dare you. In fact, I double dare you. Here’s why: those verse are like POST-IT note reminders for our zany emotions. But because it’s such a cotton-pickin’ long chapter, we’re tempted to start reading but not finish.

Page 83 ~ In its original Hebrew, Psalm 119 is an alphabetic acrostic (you know I LOVE those), meaning its lines use each letter of the Hebrew alphabet in order. In addition to the clever, easy to remember structure, it is full of necessary reminders to keep us on the narrow path.

Six Ways God Speaks To Us Through His Word
1) “I would not be ashamed”, live so that you do not have to be ashamed (v6)
a. Page 83 ~ Shame is a dark cloak of human misery that dimishes all light (we talked about God’s light last week)
2) “That I might not sin”, steer clear of sin (v11)
3) “I may see wondrous things from Your law”, look for God to do wondrous things (v18)
a. Page 85 ~ Reading Scripture will help us get a grip on our geneology.
4) “For You shall enlarge my heart”, let God enlarge your heart (v32)
5) “I will walk at liberty”, walk in liberty (v45)
6) “This is my comfort in my affliction”, let God comfort you in affliction (v50)
a. Let Him speak life into you from His Words

God’s Word is our defense, our sword (Ephesians 6:17)

Page 88 ~ You see, when fear is dictating your actions, “bizarre” can become your norm. Imbalance becomes your scale. Survival drives you to the absurb. So Gideon and I…we be tribe mates.

Page 90 ~ God isn’t reasonable; in fact, often his ways are outrageous to our way of thinking. We’ll never figure out God; he doesn’t add up on paper. Not even a brilliant mathematician could get God to fit into a tidy column. He is not only deity but also holy mystery. He does, though, reveal parts of himself to us in Scripture, which is why we’re abmonished to search it diligently to be approved as one who need not be ashamed.

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Session #12 ~ Becky’s Bangles

Our Goal Today ~> To discover how God helps us untangle our zany emotions.

How to Add Sparkle to Your Life
1) Love the LORD

a. Page 95 ~ I have found that when I offer up to God the imbalances in my life and aplpy his principles, my eyes are opened. I begin to see (heart enlightenment) why he gives us scriptural guidelines and counsel. And as my desire for his ways grows, my capacity to love him increases.
b. Deuteronomy 6:5 (NIV) ~ Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.

2) Care About Others

a. “If you cannot do great things, do small things in a great way” ~ Napolean Hill
b. Page 97 ~ I’ve also learned the best therapy to help you over an emotional slump is to get up and do something for someone else.
c. Page 172 ~ Jesus said to take the same care and concern you have for yourself and apply it to everyone you encounter.
i. So what will you do when someone at work makes a mistake that affects you?
ii. So what will you do when someone you love misunderstands something you said?
d. 1 Peter 5:2 (NIV) ~ Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve;

3) Work Hard

a. Did you know that the word WORK is in the Bible (NIV version) 538 times?
b. Apparently WORK is important to God
c. Proverbs 31:17 (NIV) ~ She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.

4) Laugh a Lot

a. Page 99 ~ Honestly, I don’t think we can discuss emotions without having to hit the balance button again and again. I promise you thatin this topsy-turvy, inside outside world, we won’t be able to maintain balance, but it should always be our goal. And along the journey let’s take time to chortle every day (laugh). It will smooth out some of the bumps in the road and help others up steep inclines.
b. Proverbs 31:25 (NIV) ~ She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

5) Never Give Up

a. “Nobody cares if you can’t dance well. Just get up and dance.” ~ Dave Berry
b. Romans 5:3 (NIV) ~ Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
c. Page 100 ~ I don’t know what has your rubber band emotions in knots today, but I do know that God is still in the resurrection business. And while others may judge us, Christ waits with open arms to restore our dignity and guide us to a higher path. Never, ever give up!

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Session #13 ~ Emmaus Road

Our Goal Today ~> To see ourselves the way God sees us and to embrace the marvelous lives he has designed.

Page 101 ~ Promise me you’ll always remember: you’re braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. ~ Christopher Robin to Winnie the Pooh

Page 101-102 ~ God made us gals emotionally wealthy, giving us the potential to be prosperous in our dispositions and institutions. We all have regrets, but we must learn to receive what Christ offers freely; forgiveness. And we must realize that Jesus redeems our failures for his divine purposes.

Read Jeremiah 29:4-14

Strategy For Dealing With Life’s Problems
1) God knows where you are (v4)
2) The problem isn’t a destination (v5-6)
3) You have something to do (v7-9)
4) God is faithful (v10-11)
5) God’s plan is for spiritual renewal (v12-14)

Page 102 ~ He will take our rubber band bundle and make sense of it. He will give us definition, he will guide us toward resolution, and he provides us the hope of a a divine destination. But it’s a process, so don’t be discouraged. It’s an Emmaus Road of ongoing revelation.

Page 102 ~ Pack up your rubber bands and follow the narrow road; it leads to the widest joy. Along the way, enjoy your rich emotional design.

Matthew 7:13-14 (NIV) ~ 13"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. 14But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.

Page 174 ~ God doesn’t need you to be someone else. He already has people assigned to those tasks. He needs you to do what no one else can do – be YOU! Pray and thank God for using people like us to deliver his love to a doubting world.

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Thanks so much for participating in our weekly Book Study on Patsy Clairmont’s book, “I Second That Emotion”. We would love to continue to pray for you, send you information about other upcoming Book/Bible Study Groups, and our Praise & Coffee nights. Please make sure that we have your contact information so that you are in the loop as to what’s going on in the future.

Seeking JOY on the Journey,

Wordless Wednesday ~ Where the boys are

This past Friday afternoon the kids had a day off from school, so we took the opportunity to head down to Hollywood Beach for the afternoon! That's where the boys are...

For more Wordless Wednesday pictures head on over to 5 Minutes for Mom!

Seeking JOY on the Journey,